After-glow: The fight is still before us [editorial]

Can the rift between Trudeau and Suzuki be mended? Crazy question? Not really.

How does the new Prime Minister-elect overcome his comment that the views of renowned environmental activist David Suzuki on climate change are ‘sanctimonious crap’? How does Trudeau put aside Suzuki calling him a ‘twerp’ in return?

It was a few weeks ago now that the conversation happened, according to Suzuki, when he and Justin Trudeau were discussing the Liberal’s climate change policy, but it comes back to mind now in light of the victory speech Trudeau gave upon winning the Oct. 19 election.

“Sunny ways, my friends. Sunny ways,” Trudeau said, quoting former Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier from 100 years ago, saying politics can be a positive force. “This is what positive politics can do.”

A Toronto Star editorial announced “Trudeau’s victory is a triumph for decency,” obviously basking in the glow of a win that ushered out of power the malevolent politics of Harper and his Conservatives. We can’t blame the Star, really. We concede that, for a short time only, we can forget that the road to 24 Sussex Drive was not travelled entirely under sunny skies.

But in the coming weeks and months, we, as Indigenous peoples, cannot allow ourselves to be blinded by that glow, or by Canada’s success in achieving ‘change’. Yes, ding-dong, the witch is dead. The Canadian electorate dropped a big Red house upon it. But achieving ‘change’ isn’t a magic wand.

Removing Harper and replacing him with Trudeau (or anyone) wasn’t the end goal. It was only part of the over-arching plan to have more and better influence over a government that has ignored our needs and frustrated our efforts for our nations, for self-determination, for wellness, for a hopeful future over the many decades since Confederation.

Yes, we should all celebrate ourselves on the incredible effort made in some Indigenous communities to mobilize our vote. It was electric to watch as Indigenous people allowed themselves the opportunity to participate. While we don’t yet have the hard numbers, the anecdotal evidence suggests that a number of candidates can thank Aboriginal voters for their election wins. Now we must not let them forget that fact. They must listen to us, and take our messages to Ottawa, and a bureaucracy which is often slow to transform.

If we are intent to achieve the change we want to see in our communities, casting a ballot is only the first step. We must remember that it’s now our responsibility to hold these newly-elected MPs’ feet to the fire, starting today and into the future. It’s our duty now to be a thorn in the sides of these MPs, reminding them to make our issues their priority. Because if they think our help benefited them in this election, then watch out in the next.

We bring up Trudeau’s words to Suzuki as a reminder that the Liberal platform did not fully satisfy our issues. We can count on soon running up against a government that didn’t quite fulfill our expectations heading into power. This is not something that is insurmountable, of course, if Trudeau builds that respectful nation-to-nation, sunny ways, dialogue he promised in his victory speech.

And we have growing faith in the AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde to come to the table prepared, well informed and greatly able to articulate the First Nations’ perspective on our common issues when the opportunity arises. We were encouraged by the good showing he made at the AFN election forum held on Oct. 7 in Edmonton. After his initial wobble with Rock The Vote, he has redeemed himself in our eyes by his deepening understanding and persuasive expression of our issues.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples too has a fresh face at the helm, and with Trudeau’s support so strong in urban areas, and his condemnation of the Conservatives for their continued disrespect for Canada’s highest court, CAP National Chief Dwight Dorey may hold considerable sway with this new government, especially considering the coming decision from the Supreme Court of Canada on the Daniels case.

So, rest up Indigenous Peoples. We have secured the battle, but there’s much more of the war ahead. Time to regroup, and get ready, for our day is still to come.